Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Noshtalgia: Girl Scout Cookies

Actual picture of Baby Me as a Brownie, aged 6 (1979)

This year I got my paws on some Girl Scout cookies for the first time in a LONG time.

Here's the scoop, Girl Scouts of America has two different bakeries that make their cookies, and only one of them makes vegan options. If your local girl scout is selling Tagalongs, you are out of luck. But, if she's selling Peanut Butter Patties... you are golden!

As far as I know, this was the first year these vegan options hit my area... so when a yoga student of mine posted something on Facebook about girl scout cookies for sale (via her daughter), I placed my order for a box of PB Patties and a box of Thin Mints. Apparently the Lemonades are also vegan, though I didn't order any of those.

I was a Brownie for three years back when I was a wee lass. Mostly I remember singing Christmas Carols in nursing homes, which is fine, but singing isn't really my thing so I can't say I loved it. I do remember going to a really awesome overnight camp where we made tie-dyed shirts in the woods (it was the 70's). And I remember taking the dog of the lady who lived across the street from my grandparents to dog-training school for my dog-training badge (ha ha- what a stretch! He was a cool dog). But, what I really remember most of all was the cookies.

Back in the day, before Facebook, you actually had to hit the streets. With my mom's help, I remember going to neighbors' homes with the colorful cardstock order form. I went to her office and solicited her co-workers, while wearing my brownie outfit. They had to write down their name and number and check off which cookies they wanted to order.

One year, my mom was Cookie Mom... which meant that all the cookies that had been ordered arrived at OUR HOUSE. Our house was cookie central! It was so fun and exciting to see all those cookies!

I'll tell you the truth. These girl scout cookies are pretty good, but the cookies I make for myself are yummier and more to my tastes. Still, that probably won't stop me from ordering another box or two next year... to support my local girl scout, and for a walk down memory lane. Also, these cookies freeze great, and if you want a sweet little nibble, a frozen Thin Mint with your coffee really hits the spot!

12 comments:

That picture of you as a Brownie is so stinking cute!!! I love it! I was a Campfire Girl, and we sold various kinds of chocolates. So I never got into Girl Scout cookies. In fact, I don't think I've ever even had one. And even though they have some vegan options now, I think that, like you, I'd much prefer the cookies I make at home or buy at our local bakery that have more natural ingredients. Still, it's very cool that they have options for people who are into them!

What an adorable Brownie you were! I was a Brownie and Girl Scout, too, against my will, for many years. This shy girl did not enjoy being forced into door-to-door sales. My dad would also take the order form to work for me, which was nice. We have a man in my office now who brings around his 2 daughters every year, but I didn't know the rule for distinguishing between the vegan and non-vegan bakeries until now. Thanks for the tip!

That's such a cute photo of you and your doll!!I'm not vegan, but I do love it when I find vegan options, especially for my sweet tooth! The funny thing is that my favorites are thin mints, but I didn't know they were vegan until now! So thank you for sharing. :)I do miss the way people socialized; I remember how I'd call my friends through our house phones and ask if they were home so we could hang out, or yell out my neighbors' names from across the gate so we could play. Hahahah! Those were some great times. :)

Aaaaw, you were adorable! Still are ;) I was a brownie too but in England we don't have the Girls Scout Cookies thing, in fact I'm not really sure what we did...?! Great that some of the cookies are vegan too.

That is such an adorable picture of you! I remember my girl scout days fondly too. It was all about the Cookies and Camping (and that one time I lost all my cookie sales money. ack.) Glad to see Girl Scouts are broadening the pantry options.